Headlight that won't

[canuck cruiser]

Hey guys,

Well the transmission repair is finished, all is working great except for the headlight. I noticed somewhere on here that there semed to be a connection between the headlight and the tach, which also does not seem to be working so well. As far as I remember, both were working before the teardown and the flip. I am pretty new to this bike and far from knowledgeable in all things electrical. Where should I start.

Help would be very much appreciated, I just want to get riding.

Thanks,

Jason

[Ljay40]

Re: Headlight that won't

Hey Jason

Start with your fuses. then I would check your wiring behind the fuse box and any and all plugs clean all contacts then test to see if you have power up to your headlight switch,if you do then check that the headlight bulb with a ohm meter to see if thats not burnt.
Its a start hope it helps
Ljay

Originally posted by canuck cruiser
Hey guys,

Well the transmission repair is finished, all is working great except for the headlight. I noticed somewhere on here that there semed to be a connection between the headlight and the tach, which also does not seem to be working so well. As far as I remember, both were working before the teardown and the flip. I am pretty new to this bike and far from knowledgeable in all things electrical. Where should I start.

Help would be very much appreciated, I just want to get riding.

Thanks,

Jason

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Canuck,

As Lday alluded to, clean ALL of your electrical connections, not just behind the fuseblock, but also your Voltage Regulator/Rectifier which is under the tank! IF your tach and headlight isn't working, could be problems with your CHARGING SYSTEM, both the tach and the headlight work off of signals from the white wires that are part of the charging/alternator circuit. IF it's not charging, then it won't latch the headlight relay, and the headlight won't come on, also there's NO pulsed signal getting to the TACH, so it can't count them to show RPMS!

IF you have a voltmeter, connect it to the battery terminals, and check with it running at 2500 or so Rpm, should be getting up to 13.8 volts, IF only 12 or less, then you're NOT charging. Many reasons, most commonly the REG/Rect gets fried! But you'll want to do some more trouble shooting before spending the $100.00 to replace it!
T.C.

[canuck cruiser]

Thanks for the info guys,

I took a quick look at the fuse box, everything looks pretty clean, fuses look good. If it ever stops raining here I can dig a little deeper. Had the bike insured and registered on friday afternoon and we have had rain straight ever since.

I'll try what you said and give it a go. Someday I'll get some pics and post.

Thanks again,

Jason

[canuck cruiser]

Today I got myself a voltmeter. I know you can't believe I didn't have one already. Anyway, I did the charge test at the battery terminals and found that the meter didn't change at all maybe 2 tenths of a volt once i revved it up but never more than 12.5 or so. I have no tach so I couldn't know where 2500 rpm is but anyway I am sure I was close.

So it's not charging, that sucks.

How can I test to see if it is the reg/rect or if it is the alt. Like I said before I am a complete moron when it comes to electrical and this is my first bike in ten years.

I have some rear taillight and signal issues as well but we'll see.

Thanks for your help. much appreciated.

Jason

[DiverRay]

Jason,
Geezer can probably sell you a used reg/rec, or you can buy a new, better than stock one. Do a search on the regulator, as it's 99.9% of the problem. The other .1% is the connection from the alt. that is behind the fuse box. The white wires can get HOT once they corrode, and melt.
I would plan on $100 for a new unit, as that's what I just put into mine. Charges great, and I don't have any problems with low speed running. This was NOT the Yamaha unit, but one from Tony, one of the members here.
Ray

[dpotter58]

Be sure to check your alternator to see if it is puting out. Procedures are in the Clymers or Haynes. I just had to replace my stator and had the same headlight syptoms you are having. They are cheap on ebay right now. There is a reg/rectifier on there as well.

[canuck cruiser]

So if the alternator is good then it would be the reg/rect that is the problem.

If the alt is good would you just go ahead and replace the reg.

ray,

can you clarify what you mean by do a search on the regulator.

I don't have a clymer or a haynes but I do have a service manual I think and i the procedure may be in there.

Thanks guys.

Jason

[DiverRay]

Jason,
PM Geezer, as he builds the replacement regs. He does have a web site, I just don't remember it at the moment.(CRS disease) I'm running one of his regs, and it works great. My old reg was still good, just wanted to get the most out of the alt, as I have extra lights, and will be installing a HAM radio on the bike.
Andreaswiess (sp?) is the one with used parts. PM him if you need to go that way.
Ray

[andreashweiss]

I have both parts used. altinater and regulater. We are at opposite ends of north america I only include shipping in continental USA but if you need these parts they will benot to expensive. Let me know. andreashweiss@yahoo.com